Back pain can sometimes be incurable, as not all medications and treatment are effective to treat the pain. Most people choose chiropractic treatments for back pain, as 22 million Americans visit chiropractors annually for treatment. Of these people, 35%, or 7.7 million, are looking for relief from their chronic back pain that has been caused by various factors, such as sports wounds, muscle strains, and accidents.
The
Basics of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractors use practice with
hands-on spinal manipulation.There are other alternative treatment options in
this field, such as proper alignment of the body’s musculoskeletal structure,
predominantly with the spine, which can allow the body to heal on its own
without surgery or medication. Manipulation is used in order to restore
mobility to the joints that have been restricted by different injuries to the
spine.
Chiropractic is mostly used to
provide relief to patients suffering from pain in the joints, bones, muscles,
and other connective tissues -- ligaments, cartilage, and tendons -- in the
back. When conventional medical treatment cannot relieve the pain, this
alternative option is also used in conjunction with a conventional treatment
method.
What
to Expect if You Opt for Chiropractic Care
During an
appointment with a Chiropractor , he or she will ask for the
patient’s medical history and then perform different physical examinations,
such as lab tests or diagnostic imaging. These methods can determine what
treatment is suitable for your back. The treatment plan may also include one or
more manual adjustments, where the doctor will manipulate the joints. The
manipulation is performed by using a controlled yet sudden force to improve
quality and range of motion in an individual. Certain chiropractors may also
add nutritional psychoanalysis and workouts into the treatment plan.
What
is the Risk-Benefit Ratio of Chiropractic Care?
Treatment plans
that include chiropractic care and spinal manipulation are generally considered
safe and efficient for lower back pain. Acute lower back pain can be sudden
damage that resulted from heavy lifting. Acute back pain is normally more
common that chronic pain, as it lasts no more than six weeks and usually
improves on its own. Chiropractic care is considered helpful in treating these
complications.
Moreover,
chiropractors are also able to alleviate the symptoms of fibromyalgia and
osteoarthritis with the use of mild pressure to the affected areas. These forms
of therapy involve injections, such as sugar water or anesthetic, which are
believed to strengthen the ligaments in the back.
Prolotherapy and sclerotherapy for pain relief, which are two methods used by chiropractors,
can also be used to treat chronic back pain. However, individuals who suffer
from these conditions should not undergo spinal manipulation if they take
blood-thinning medications, as it can be dangerous to their health.
